Self-aligning band for beveling machine

ABSTRACT

An adjustable band for supporting a dolly carried bevel cutter for movement around a joint of pipe. The band comprises an elongated strip having a pair of parallel side guide edges and a toggle interconnecting the band ends for moving the band in tight engagement with the pipe. Two rows of rollers having wheels mounted on axes extending perpendicular to the pipe axis are carried by the surface of the band and hold the latter in spaced parallelism with the pipe while permitting movement of the band longitudinally of the pipe.

United States Patent Elliott 1 Oct. 24, 1972 [54] SELF-ALIGNING BAND FOR 2,687,880 8/1954 Waterson ..266/23 NN BEVELING MACHINE 3,009,049 11/1961 Stanley ..266/23 N X [72] Inventor: Bernard Elliott, Bartlesvme, 3,572,669 3/1971 Brand ..,266/23 NN k1 O a Primary Examiner-Frank T. Yost [73] Assignee: H. C. Price C0., Bartlesville, Okla. Attorney-Lowe, Kokyer, Kircher, Wharton & Bow- [22 Filed: April 28, 1971 man [21] Appl. No.2 138,065 [57] ABSTRACT Related U.S. Application Dat An adjustable band for supporting a dolly carried bevel cutter for movement around a joint of pipe. The [63] if? of 70355 Sfipt' band comprises an elongated strip having a pair of an one parallel side guide edges and a toggle interconnecting the band ends for moving the band in tight engageg "266/23 ment with the pipe. Two rows of rollers having wheels mounted on axes extending perpendicular to the pipe [58] Field of Search .....266/23 NN, 23 N, 23 K, 23 F axis are carried by the Surface of the band and hold the latter in spaced parallelism with the pipe while [56] References Cted permitting movement of the band longitudinally of the I UNITED STATES PATENTS p p 1 I 2,622,327 12/ 1952 Halo nen ..266/23 N X 15 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PATENTEUHCI 24 I972 I SHEET 1 UP 3 INVENTOR. Bernard M. Ellie-H Afforney PATENTED E 24 I97? 3. 700.223

sum 2 OF 3 INVENTOR. Bernard V. El/ioff AHorney I 0. Bey nerd VEl/iott INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS SELF-ALIGNING BAND FOR BEVELING MACHINE This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending application Ser. No. 70,355 entitled Self- Aligning Band For Beveling Machine and filed Sept. 8, 1970, and now abandoned. I

Thisinvention pertains to pipe working equipment, and more particularly, to a machine for cutting-the required bevel on the ends of joints of pipe.

Elongated joints of pipe are welded in end-to-end relationship to provide an elongated string of pipe for a pipeline or the like: Much of this pipe welding is done by automatic welding machines. It is very important that the abutting ends to be welded have a proper level so that a satisfactory bead is formed in the welding operation.

Although joints of pipe may be fabricated with end bevels, these often are inadvertently damaged when the pipe is handled or transported to the welding site. Sometimes joints are out prior to welding and sometimes the fabricated bevels are not at the correct angle for the welding operation which interconnects the joints into the pipeline.

Beveling machines have heretofore been used more or less successfully. These have included roller mounted dollies which carry cutting torches or tools mounted at the correct angle forvcutting the bevel as the dollies are moved on a path of travel around the pipe. One form of support for the dollies has been a band extending peripherally around the pipe proximal the end of the pipe. The dollies ride on the outer surfaces of the bands and are guided by the side edges of the bands while making the cuts.

One disadvantage with conventional bands has been the difficulty or impossibility for adjusting the band position once it is positioned in the general vicinity of the cut. It is, of course, extremely important that the band be precisely aligned prior to cutting the bevel in the pipe. Even slight irregularities in the pipe surface can cause imperfect alignment unless proper compen sation is made for the irregularities.

The support bands are usually spaced outwardly from the pipe to accommodate the dolly guide wheels which also hold the dolly onto the band. Heretofore, this spacing has been provided by a plurality of pins which project from the band and engage the pipe surface.

The friction between the pins and the pipe render it almost an impossibility to adjust the support band when on the pipe. Rust or scale on the pipe surface further hamper proper band adjustment as do the pipe irregularities themselves.

Accordingly, it is the primary object of this invention to provide a novel supporting band for a pipe beveling machine of this type, which may be readily adjusted to its desired position even after the band is installed on the pipe.

. Still another important object of the invention is to provide a band having novel roller means which insure the proper spacing of the band from the pipe but which assist rather than retard proper band positioning.

Another object of the invention is to provide a plurality of spaced apart rollers between the band and the pipe to permit the band to conform to irregularities in the pipe, yet to assist in the alignment and positioning of the machine prior to the beveling operation.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel, easily adjustable bevel machine supporting and guiding band which is not prone to inadvertent movement while supporting the beveling machine dolly after the band has been moved to its final, correctly aligned position.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a highly reliable, easily operated beveling machine support band which may be economically fabricated from readily available materials.

It is also an important object of this invention to provide a support band as described in the foregoing objects which can be disposed on the inner surface of the pipe whereby when the outer surface has previously been coated .the coating will not preclude the use of the beveling machine around the pipe periphery.

These and other importantobjects of the present invention will be further explained or will become readily apparent from the description, claims and drawings.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view longitudinally of the pipe and through a band embodying the principles of this invention, the dolly and bevel cutter appearing in elevation;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, end elevational view of a beveling machine embodying the principles of this in-' vention;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary top plan view of the band and toggle;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, bottom plan view of the band showing the junction of the band ends;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view through the pipe and band illustrating the toggle contour;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged, detailed vertical cross-sectional view illustrating the spring loaded mounting for one of the dolly guide wheels;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged, fragmentary perspective view of the inner surface of the band showing one of the bandsupporting rollers;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view on a reduced scale, of a joint of pipe with a support band secured thereto and a modified form of beveling-machine traversing the path defined by the band;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view, similar to FIG. 8, of an alternative form of the invention with the support band disposed inside a joint of pipe; and

FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view through the pipe and supporting band shown in FIG. 9 illustrating details of construction of the alternative form of the invention. I

A machine embodying the principles of this invention is broadly designated in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings by the reference numeral 10 and comprises a mobile dolly 12 and a cylindrical band 14 adapted to encircle a pipe 16. Dolly 12 includes a frame 18 mounted on four rubber rollers 20. The rollers 20 are powered by an electric motor 22 carried by frame 18.

Corner brackets 24 depend from frame 18 and receive the projecting end of a bolt 26 as illustrated more clearly in FIG. 6. Bolt 26 has a transversely circular, enlarged portion 28 provided with an upright slot 30 adapted to receive a shaft 32 as shown in FIG. 6. Shaft 32 extends substantially vertically and journals at its lowermost end a disc 34 having an outwardly extending flange 36 (FIG. 1 and 2).

2 Each bracket 24 is provided with its upwardly extending shaft 32 and its corresponding disc 34 so that the dolly 12 can be installed on the band 14 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings. To this end, a hub 38 is secured to each bolt 26 and receives its respective shaft 32 as shown in FIG. 6. A spring 40 between hub 38 and bracket 24 urges the hub toward its respective bracket so that the discs 34 are drawn into engagement with the longitudinally extending parallel edges42 and 44 of band 14 respectively. The vertical adjustment of the respective shafts 32 is provided by means of nuts 46 and 48 disposed above and below hub 38 respectively. The tension of the springs 40 holds the dolly onto the band as the dolly traverses its circumscribing path of travel around pipe 16.

An upwardly extending bracket 50 has mounted thereon a cutting tool 52 in the nature of an acetylene torch or the like-Tool 52 may be disposed at an angle with respect to the end of pipe 16 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings so that a uniform bevel 54 is cut into the wall of pipe 16 as the dolly is moved around the track provided by band 14.

Band 14 is constructed in a manner to facilitate accurate alignment of the band with respect to the pipe so that the bevel 54 is precisely located for subsequent welding operations. To this end, band 14 comprises va generally'planar elongated strip of material bent into circular configuration for disposition in telescoped relationship around the outer wall of the pipe. One end 56 of band 14 fits into a slot 58 (FIG. 5) formed between a pair of elongated, curvilinear side straps 60 (only one shown in FIG. 3) extending from the opposite end 62 of band 14 toward end 56in overlapping relationship thereto. The side straps 60 are rigidly secured to the outer surface of band 14 at end 62 and have longitudinally extending slots 64 in overlying relationship to end 56 and adapted to receive upwardly extending lugs 66 secured to end 56. Lugs 66 in slots 64 serve to maintain the side edges of band 14 in precise parallel alignment at the joint of abutment between the ends yet permit relative movement of one end toward the other as the band is adjusted over the pipe.

A block '68 is secured to end 62 and extends beneath the latter in position to receive end 56 of member14 between block 68 and straps 60. A toggle mechanism 70 "having components secured to end 56 and end 62 respectively is movable from a first overcenter position to an opposite overcenter position todraw the ends 56 and 62 toward each other after the band is precisely positioned longitudinally of the pipe. While the band 14 must be maintained in outwardly spaced relationship around the wallof the pipe 16, it is important that the band be shiftable along the pipe to achieve proper alignment of the band prior to final installation of the band into its fixed position. Accordingly, the innermost surface of the band is provided with rollers ,72 .carried by the band 14 and projecting downwardly therefrom for engagement with the pipe wall. Each roller 72 comprises a bracket 74 attached to the proximal surface of band 14 and a pair of wheels 76 joumalled in the bracket and disposed in tandem relationship as shown best in FIG. 7. It should be noted that the wheels 76 are mounted for rotation about axes extending transversely of the longitudinal pipe axis and the wheels are positioned with respect to each other longitudinally of the pipe.

In the preferred construction, the rollers are disposed in a pair of rows, each row being adjacent the edges 42 and 44 of the band. This construction insures maximum support for the dolly 12 but permits longitudinal alignment of the band prior to final tightening of the band onto the pipe.

The rollers 72 are free to rotate for positioning of the band until toggle is operated to draw ends 56 and 62 into theirfinal positions toward one another. During this time it is relatively easy for workmen to manually move the band longitudinally of the pipe. Once the toggle 70 is moved to its closed position as illustrated in FIG. 5, the friction resulting from the tension applied by the toggle onto the band prevents longitudinal movement along the pipe so that the dolly can move around the band as motor 22 is operated. It is to be understood that the number of rollers 72 disposed around the band 14 should be sufficient to assure a gripping action which will prevent longitudinal shifting of the band once the toggle 70 is moved to its closed position.

While the outer surface of the band 14 must be sufficiently smooth to permit rolling of the dolly over the surface for imparting an accurate bevel to the-pipe, there must be .sufficient traction between the dolly wheels and the band surface. for driving the dolly. In

some cases it is desirable to provide a roughened surface to increase the friction between the rollers and the band. A row of. integral projections or rivet heads extending from the band 14 and underlying the path of travel of one or more of thepower wheels may suffice for this purpose. Further, such arow extending partially around the band in alignment with the path for one wheel may be used in conjunction with a similar row extending the remainder of the portion around the band in alignment with the path of travel of another wheel. i

In' FIG. 8, the pipe 16 is shown in perspective with an alternative form of beveling machine, designated generally by the numeral 110, shown disposed at the end of the pipe. The beveling machine is generally similar, to the machine 10 described above, in that it comprises a mobile dolly 12 and a cylindrical band 14 adapted to encircle the pipe 16. In the machine 110 however, the cuttingtool 52 is mounted by a turret head 78. The turret head '78 providessomewhat more maneuverability of the cutting tool 52 and greater accuracy in aligning the tool for cutting the proper bevel 54 Referring now to FIG. 9, another alternative form of the invention is shown disposed within the end of a joint of pipe 16 and designated generally by the numeral 210. The beveling machine 210 comprises'a mobile dolly 212, partially visible in FIG. 10, and a cylindrical band 214 adapted to be disposed adjacent the inner surface of the pipe 16. The dolly 212 includes a frame 218 mounted on four rubber rollers 220 (one of which is visible in FIG. 10). The rollers 220 are powered by an electric motor 222.

As with the machine 10 above described, a plurality of corner brackets 224 depend from the frame 218 and each bracket receives a bolt 226 for mounting an upright shaft 232. Each shaft 232 in turn mounts a disc 234 which engages an edge of the cylindrical band 214. A spring 240 around the bolt 226 and between the bracket 224 and the shaft 232 assures tight engagement of the disc 234 with the band 214.

to that described above for the band 14 except that the band 214 is adapted to be disposed in engagement with the interior surface of the pipe 16. Thus, the band 214 comprises a generally planar elongated strip having parallel longitudinally extending edges and being bent into a circular configuration conforming to the configuration of the wall of the pipe 16. A pair of elongated, curvilinear side straps 260 which are secured to one end of the band 214, an underlying block 268 also secured to one end of the band, and a toggle mechanism 270 serve to couple the two ends of the band togetherand assure tight engagement of the band with the pipe 16. The outer surface of the band 214 is provided with rollers 272 which are carried by the band and project therefrom for engagement with the wall of the pipe 16. Each roller 272 comprises a bracket 274 attached to the proximal surface of the band 214 and a pair of wheels 276 journalled in the bracket and disposed in tandem relationship one to the other. As with the wheels 76 of the embodiment described above, the wheels 276 are mounted for rotation about axes extending transversely of the longitudinal pipe axis.

Although only a single pair of rollers 276 are visible in FIG. 10, it is to be understood that the rollers 276 would be disposed in parallel rows adjacent the longitudinally extending edges of the band 214 in a manner Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. For use with a pipe working machine having a movable dolly and a tool mounted on the dolly for movement therewith around the pipe, a support for the dolly comprising:

an elongated band having a surface to support the dolly and a pair of parallel side edges, the dolly being provided with means engaging said edges for guiding the dolly during movement over said surface; means interconnecting the ends of said band to hold the latter in substantially cylindrical configuration and in spaced relationship to a joint of pipe with said edges concentric with the axis of the pipe; and

roller means carried by the surface of the band and projecting therefrom for engagement with the pipe to support the band in spaced parallelism from the surface of the pipe,

said roller means being operable to permit shifting movement of the band longitudinally of the pipe when the band is held in said cylindrical configuration, whereby to facilitate accurate alignment of the band with respect to the pipe irrespective of irregularities in the surface of the pipe.

2. The invention of claim 1, wherein said roller means includes a plurality of spaced apart rollers secured to the band.

3. The invention of claim 2, wherein said rollers are disposed in a row extending parallel to said edges.

4. The invention of claim 3, wherein said rollers are I disposed in a pair of rows spaced apart longitudinally of similar to that described above for the rollers 76 and the band 14.

The toggle mechanism 270 is similar to the toggle 70 above described with components joined to each end of the band 214. The toggle 270, however, is designed to spread the ends of the band 214 away from each other as the lever arm of the toggle is moved from one overcenter position to an opposite position. With the toggle 270 in a position so as not to exert any force on the band 214. the rollers 272 are free to rotate for positioning the band 214 into a desired position. Once the toggle 270 is moved to a position to spread the band 214 the friction resulting from the tension applied by the toggle to the band prevents longitudinal movement along the pipe 16 so that the dolly 212 can move around the band as the motor 222 is operated.

The beveling machine 210 is particularly useful where the outside surface of the pipe 16 is obstructed as for example when this surface is covered by a layer of coating 80. Although there is not sufficient room between the end of the pipe 16 and the beginning of the coating 80 to permit a band such as 14 to be positioned in telescoped relationship around the pipe, the band 214 can be positioned on the inside of the pipe with the cutting tool 252 still disposed on the outside for forming the bevel 54 as a result of the disposition of the mounting bracket 250.

Although the invention has been described with specific reference to a type of beveling machine, it will be appreciated that the novel aligning band may be utilized with other type working machines employing tools other than a bevel cutter disposed on a movable dolly.

the pipe, each of said rows being parallel to said edges.

5. The invention of claim 2, wherein each roller includes a bracket secured to'said band, and a wheel for each bracket respectively, each wheel being mounted to its corresponding bracket for rolling movement about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the pipe.

6. The invention of claim 5, wherein is included a pair of wheels for each bracket respectively, the wheels of each pair thereof being spaced apart longitudinally of the pipe.

7. The invention of claim 4, wherein each row of rollers is disposed in relatively close proximity to a corresponding edge of the band.

8. The invention of claim 1, wherein said interconnecting means includes a toggle, one element of the toggle being pivotally coupled with one end of the band and the other element of the toggle being coupled with the other end of the band, whereby said toggle may be operated to move the band tightly into engagement with the pipe.

9. The invention of claim 8, wherein said band is disposed around the outer surface of said pipe and said toggle is adapted to be operated to draw the band tightly around the pipe.

10. The invention of claim 8, wherein said band is disposed around the inner surface of said pipe and said toggle is adapted to be operated to move the band outwardly into engagement with said pipe.

11. The invention of claim 8, wherein said toggle includes adjustable structure to permit selective adjustment of the force exerted on the band.

12. The invention of claim 8, wherein said toggle is on the surface of the band proximal the dolly, and

wherein said toggle is bent to conform to the general contour of the band when the latter is installed on said pipe, whereby to permit relatively unobstructed movement of the dolly around the surface of the band.

13. The invention of claim 1, wherein said roller means is carriedtby the inner surface of said band for supporting the band in spaced relationship to the outer surface of the pipe. 7

14. The invention of claim 1, wherein said roller means is carried by the outer surface of said band for supporting the band in spaced relationship to the innersurface of the pipe.

15. Apparatus for beveling a metal pipe comprising: an elongated band conforming in configuration to the configuration of the pipe and presenting a supporting surface with spaced, parallel side edges; means interconnecting the ends of said band to hold the latter in substantially cylindrical configuration v and in spaced relationship to a joint of pipe with said edges concentric with the axis of the pipe;

roller means carried by the surface of the band and projecting therefrom for engagement with the pipe to support the band in spaced parallelism from the surface of the pipe,

said roller means being operable to permit shifting movement of the band longitudinally of the pipe when the band is held in cylindrical configuration whereby to facilitate accurate alignment of the band with respect to the pipe irrespective of irregularities in the surface of the pipe;

a movable dolly mounted on said band,

said dolly being provided with means engaging said edges for guiding the dolly during movement over said surface and around said band; and

a bevel cutter mounted on the dolly for movement therewith. 

1. For use with a pipe working machine having a movable dolly and a tool mounted on the dolly for movement therewith around the pipe, a support for the dolly comprising: an elongated band having a surface to support the dolly and a pair of parallel side edges, the dolly being provided with means engaging said edges for guiding the dolly during movement over said surface; means interconnecting the ends of said band to hold the latter in substantially cylindrical configuration and in spaced relationship to a joint of pipe with said edges concentric with the axis of the pipe; and roller means carried by the surface of the band and projecting therefrom for engagement with the pipe to support the band in spaced parallelism from the surface of the pipe, said roller means being operable to permit shifting movement of the band longitudinally of the pipe when the band is held in said cylindrical configuration, whereby to facilitate accurate alignment of the band with respect to the pipe irrespective of irregularities in the surface of the pipe.
 2. The invention of claim 1, wherein said roller means includes a plurality of spaced apart rollers secured to the band.
 3. The invention of claim 2, wherein said rollers are disposed in a row extending parallel to said edges.
 4. The invention of claim 3, wherein said rollers are disposed in a pair of rows spaced apart longitudinally of the pipe, each of said rows being parallel to said edges.
 5. The invention of claim 2, wherein each roller includes a bracket secured to said band, and a wheel for each bracket respectively, each wheel being mounted to its corresponding bracket for rolling movement about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the pipe.
 6. The invention of claim 5, wherein is included a pair of wheels for each bracket respectively, the wheels of each pair thereof being spaced apart longitudinally of the pipe.
 7. The invention of claim 4, wherein each row of rollers is disposed in relatively close proximity to a corresponding edge of the band.
 8. The invention of claim 1, wherein said inteRconnecting means includes a toggle, one element of the toggle being pivotally coupled with one end of the band and the other element of the toggle being coupled with the other end of the band, whereby said toggle may be operated to move the band tightly into engagement with the pipe.
 9. The invention of claim 8, wherein said band is disposed around the outer surface of said pipe and said toggle is adapted to be operated to draw the band tightly around the pipe.
 10. The invention of claim 8, wherein said band is disposed around the inner surface of said pipe and said toggle is adapted to be operated to move the band outwardly into engagement with said pipe.
 11. The invention of claim 8, wherein said toggle includes adjustable structure to permit selective adjustment of the force exerted on the band.
 12. The invention of claim 8, wherein said toggle is on the surface of the band proximal the dolly, and wherein said toggle is bent to conform to the general contour of the band when the latter is installed on said pipe, whereby to permit relatively unobstructed movement of the dolly around the surface of the band.
 13. The invention of claim 1, wherein said roller means is carried by the inner surface of said band for supporting the band in spaced relationship to the outer surface of the pipe.
 14. The invention of claim 1, wherein said roller means is carried by the outer surface of said band for supporting the band in spaced relationship to the inner surface of the pipe.
 15. Apparatus for beveling a metal pipe comprising: an elongated band conforming in configuration to the configuration of the pipe and presenting a supporting surface with spaced, parallel side edges; means interconnecting the ends of said band to hold the latter in substantially cylindrical configuration and in spaced relationship to a joint of pipe with said edges concentric with the axis of the pipe; roller means carried by the surface of the band and projecting therefrom for engagement with the pipe to support the band in spaced parallelism from the surface of the pipe, said roller means being operable to permit shifting movement of the band longitudinally of the pipe when the band is held in cylindrical configuration whereby to facilitate accurate alignment of the band with respect to the pipe irrespective of irregularities in the surface of the pipe; a movable dolly mounted on said band, said dolly being provided with means engaging said edges for guiding the dolly during movement over said surface and around said band; and a bevel cutter mounted on the dolly for movement therewith. 